Senate Bills - 110th Congress

S. 5—The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007

On January 4, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. The House companion, H.R. 3, was introduced on January 5 by Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO). The bills would require the Secretary of HHS to conduct and support research using human embryonic stem cells regardless of the date on which such cells were derived. S.5 had 31 cosponsors upon introduction and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and is expected to be considered by the Senate in February.

FLOOR ACTIONS

On April 11, the Senate passed S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, by a vote of 63-37. The bill would require the Secretary of HHS to conduct and support research using human embryonic stem cells regardless of the date on which such cells were derived. The bill was amended prior to floor consideration to include the text of S. 997. As amended, the bill would also require the Secretary to conduct and support research involving methods of obtaining pluripotent stem cells that do not involve the use of human embryos. A similar measure, H.R. 3, passed the House on January 11 by a vote of 253-174. The White House has issued Statements of Administrative Policy in opposition to both S. 5 and H.R. 3.

On June 7, the House passed S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, by a vote of 247-176. S. 5 previously passed the Senate on April 11, by a vote of 63-34. The bill would require the Secretary of HHS to conduct and support research using human embryonic stem cells regardless of the date on which such cells were derived. The bill also includes provisions to require the Secretary to conduct and support research involving methods of obtaining pluripotent stem cells that do not involve the use of human embryos. A similar measure, H.R. 3, passed the House on January 11 by a vote of 253-174. The President is expected to veto S. 5 when it reaches his desk.

PRESIDENTIAL ACTION

On June 19, the President vetoed S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. The bill would have required the Secretary of HHS to provide funding for human embryonic stem cell research, notwithstanding the date on which such cells were derived. The bill would have effectively overturned the President’s August 9, 2001 stem cell policy, which provides funding for only those human embryonic stem cells that were derived prior to 9:00 P.M. on that date. Concurrent with his veto, the President issued an Executive Order which requires the Secretary of HHS to enhance funding for research on alternative methods to derive pluripotent stem cells that do not involve human embryos.